Liz Hitch: Serving UVU

Considering that President Sederberg recently left UVU and that a replacement has not been selected, who is running this university? The answer can be found in two words, Elizabeth Hitch, our hero of the week. Here is what she had to say.

Q: Can you explain your current position at UVU?

A: I am currently interim president of UVU. This means that I serve as president until a permanent president is selected by the Board of Regents.

Q: Who is your guess for UVU’s next president?

A: I expect there will be many candidates interested in the presidency at UVU. Since the search for a new leader is a national one, there is no way to guess who the next president might be.

Q: How did you feel when you first learned that you would be given your current position and that President Sederberg would be leaving?

A: It was great to learn that the excellent leadership that Bill Sederburg provides would continue to influence higher education in the state through the Utah System of Higher Education. I’m happy to be able to continue to work with him as he serves as Commissioner.

Q: How long have you been working at UVU?

A: I began at UVSC on July 1, 2007, as vice president for Academic Affairs and served in that position until I began the role as interim president on August 18, 2008.

Q: What made you want to work here?

A: When I learned of the quality of UVU that was going to earn it university status in the Utah System of Higher Education, my interest was piqued. What a great time to be associated with an institution as it moves from college to university status! I’ve wanted to be involved in education since I was in grade school. I have always enjoyed learning, and to be involved in teaching and learning as a profession has been a great joy.

Q: What was your first act as interim president?

A: I’m not sure I can remember a “first act,” but I have spent the first several weeks of my time as interim president going to all of the various constituents of the university to assure them that our mission and strategic directions, identified last year, continue to guide our work during this interim period. We have a clear direction to create the premiere community-engaged institution in the nation, and we are well on our way!

Q: What do you hope to accomplish for the university?

A: A steady leadership during the interim period that advances the institution consistent with our mission and strategic directions.

Q: What do you feel are your personal strengths and weaknesses?

A: I have been involved in higher education for a long time and have a solid base of experience, including one other time when I served as an interim chancellor. I really love UVU and the faculty, staff and students that are part of it. I don’t know UVU as well as many who have been a part of the institution as it evolved, but I’m learning more every day!

Q: If there was one message you could get out to students, faculty and staff, what would it be?

A: UVU is your university. Thanks for making it all it can be as a community-engaged institution of higher learning!